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I was looking for a better way to spin multiple Christmas light strings together for my synchronized light display. I came up with the idea of using a rope-making method so the strings will never come undone or want to un-spin themselves.

The rope making machine works just like real antique ones with gears. I got the template for making wood gears here.. http://www.woodgears.ca/

I attached the gears made from 3/4 birch plywood to the hook rods by simply using bolts and washers for a friction fit. It has 2-to-1 gearing so for every turn of the crank or drill in the back, the hooks spin twice.

The hook at the other end of the strings was necessary to help twist the strings together. In standard rope making it is unnecessary and the stings will twist together on their own, however the weight and friction of the light strings prevented that from happening, so I had to introduce that last step.